Femoral hernia repair

Femoral hernia repair is surgery to repair a hernia near the groin or upper thigh. A femoral hernia is tissue that bulges out of a weak spot in the groin. Usually this tissue is part of the intestine.

Description of Procedure

During surgery to repair the hernia, the bulging tissue is pushed back in. The weakened area is sewn closed or strengthened. This repair can be done with open or laparoscopic surgery. You and your surgeon can discuss which type of surgery is right for you.

The hernia is located and separated from the tissues around it. Some of the extra hernia tissue may be removed. The rest of the hernia contents are gently pushed back inside your abdomen.

The surgeon then closes your weakened abdominal muscles with stitches.

Often a piece of mesh is also sewn into place to strengthen your abdominal wall. This repairs the weakness in the wall.

At the end of the repair, the cuts are stitched closed.

In laparascopic surgery:

The surgeon makes three to five small cuts in your groin and lower belly.

A medical device called a laparoscope is inserted through one of the cuts. The scope is a thin, lighted tube with a camera on the end. It lets the surgeon see inside your belly.

Other tools are inserted through the other cuts. The surgeon uses these tools to repair the hernia.

The same repair will be done as in open surgery.

At the end of the repair, the scope and other tools are removed. The cuts are stitched closed.

Why the Procedure Is Performed

A femoral hernia needs to be repaired, even if if it does not not cause symptoms. If the hernia is not repaired, the intestine can get trapped inside the hernia. This is called an incarcerated or strangulated hernia. It can cut off blood supply to the intestines. This can be life-threatening. If this happens, you would need emergency surgery.